I've been exploring the world of oolong for the past few months, and the world of Japanese greens even more recently. I've found teas that I love in both styles (and splurged on plenty of "necessary" teaware in the process ), but both still seem like a like of effort if I'm busy or tired. So, my go-to is still black tea right now. I can brew up a great pot on autopilot and then all I have to do is pour and sip for the next hour or so.

I don't think I do have a single 'go to' tea. I do have several that I reach for when I need comfortable tea without a lot of fuss, including several shu puerhs (e.g., Norbu's Lao Cha Tou brick, Menghai golden needle white lotus, and the 'mystery' puerh from the back of Dad's cupboard); a couple of oolongs (fancy spring TGY from several sources, SeaDyke red label TKY); and the Korean Hwang Cha from Hankook, a no-fail tea.

Today, I had to brew up a thermos several hours in advance of a long meeting, so it was the 'mystery' puerh, brewed up in the giant dragon Yixing that was also an inheritance from Dad. I tried to pay attention to the dragon's tongue, after some discussions in another topic here, and while it did pop forward as the pot emptied during the pour, it didn't have any particular sound effect associated with it: is it supposed to?

Though this may change over time, I always reach for the Bai Mu Dan or Tie Guan Yin when I can't decide on what to drink and just want some tea. I guess it's because I can drink them no matter what mood I'm in.

Sencha Otsuusan from O-Cha is the tea that I'm always ready to drink - tired, sick, rushed, happy,relaxed, etc. Then I can move on to wuyi oolongs, Chinese greens, Puerh etc. The only time it doesn't seem 'right' is when I'm about to have Gyokuro.

I honestly don't, but theres oddly been little joking about my tea selection method lately. That is take out all my teas and slowly put them away while staring at them as I realize I do not want to have that particular tea.

Its a good thing my kettle takes so long to boil, it takes a very long time for me to pick out what tea I want to have most days.